American actor Dane Clark ("Destination Tokyo") plays Jim Forster, who runs a small-time gambling operation in England (as well as other enterprises). Aware of his quick temper and eager to put his drinking days behind him, Jim ultimately sows the seeds for his own demise by being too eager to be a part of English high society. This colors much of what he does, including developing an interest in the proper young Lady Susan Willens (Naomi Chance, "The Trials of Oscar Wilde").
"The Gambler and the Lady" is a good, straightforward little drama made during the years when Hammer Studios (at this time, known as Exclusive Pictures) was dipping its toes into film noir and noir-type features. It is the main characters' own desperate need to deny his own background and be thought of as "respectable" that leads to his downfall. And tough-guy actor Clark (a recognizable lead and supporting actor during this era, if never really a "star") is an appropriate choice for our protagonist. He does a very fine job.
The solid supporting cast also includes Kathleen Byron ("Black Narcissus") as Jims' vindictive ex-girlfriend, Meredith Edwards ("The Lavender Hill Mob"), Anthony Forwood ("Knights of the Round Table"), Eric Pohlmann ("Mogambo"), Mona Washbourne ("The Collector"), George Pastell ("The Stranglers of Bombay"), and Martin Benson ("Goldfinger").
"The Gambler and the Lady" is one of those films that, while no classic, fills up 72 minutes quite well and remains engrossing throughout.
Seven out of 10.
"The Gambler and the Lady" is a good, straightforward little drama made during the years when Hammer Studios (at this time, known as Exclusive Pictures) was dipping its toes into film noir and noir-type features. It is the main characters' own desperate need to deny his own background and be thought of as "respectable" that leads to his downfall. And tough-guy actor Clark (a recognizable lead and supporting actor during this era, if never really a "star") is an appropriate choice for our protagonist. He does a very fine job.
The solid supporting cast also includes Kathleen Byron ("Black Narcissus") as Jims' vindictive ex-girlfriend, Meredith Edwards ("The Lavender Hill Mob"), Anthony Forwood ("Knights of the Round Table"), Eric Pohlmann ("Mogambo"), Mona Washbourne ("The Collector"), George Pastell ("The Stranglers of Bombay"), and Martin Benson ("Goldfinger").
"The Gambler and the Lady" is one of those films that, while no classic, fills up 72 minutes quite well and remains engrossing throughout.
Seven out of 10.